Laurence Raymond Anderson was born in Nowra, the eldest child of Lindon (Frederick) and Beatrice Anderson.

With his sister Marie and brother Don, he lived at “Hillview” at Jindy Andy Lane, Numbaa.

Laurie lived there nearly all his life.

He attended Numbaa Primary School from 1938-44 and continued high school at Nowra Intermediate between 1944-48, also attending cadets while at high school.

Laurie could always be spotted heading home from school or cadets in a rush, either riding his blue Speedwell bike or running because he was required to help milk the cows and feed the calves - their fathers were all tough men and hard task masters.

Aged 15, he left school and worked on his father’s property.

He also attended Nowra Technical College studying motor mechanics.

In 1953, aged 20, Laurie enrolled in the 13th National Serviceman 5th Intake and was stationed at Ingleburn for four months

In the late 1940s he attended Sunday school held at neighbouring farm of George Lymbery and undertook communication vows at the Nowra Presbyterian Church during Reveran North’s ministry.

In 1950, he joined the Rural Youth Club under the leadership of Arthur Chalmers and was a member for 12 years.

It was during these social outings Laurie met Lynette King.

Laurie married Lynette on May 6, 1961 at the Nowra Methodist Church.

They had an 11am ceremony as nearly all guests were farmers and cows had to be milked in the afternoon.

They were married for 55 years.

In 1963 their first child Graham was born, Louise arrived in 1965, Keith in 1970, and Paul on New Year’s Eve 1971.

For 50 odd years Laurie and Lynnette would spend one Saturday night a month with local neighbours playing 500 at each others houses.

These monthly social gatherings created life-long friends and even as they grew older the get togethers continued, still playing cards, but on a leisurely Saturday afternoon.

He was also known as a bit of a practical joker, with legendary stories of setting off acetylene bombs around the district.

Laurie was an active member in the community and was a committee member of many local organisations, such as the Pyree Literary Institute, president of the Terera P and C, a district P and C representative and later senior schools P and C.

He was also on the committee of management of the Presbyterian Church and inducted as an Elder for that church in 1978.

In 1984, Laurie joined the Monday Night Indoor Bowls for the Nowra Presbyterian Churches competition.

In 1991 he joined the Nowra Show Society, his father wouldn’t let him join prior to his own death because two family members couldn’t be off the farm at once.

In the late 1990s, Laurie’s brother Don decided to leave the farm, with Keith and Paul helping their father run the property, which is known as LR Anderson and Sons.

Parts of this farm has been in the Anderson family since the early 1900s, started by is grandfather Henry.

His life was his farm - in the later years, even up until a month before his death he could be seen spraying with the Ford 3910 tractor.

Thistles, fireweed, Parramatta grass and blackberries were his passion. Though he was so good at using roundup, he ended up killing everything within a two metre radius of what needed to be sprayed. With his passing, a lot of weed control knowledge has now been lost.

Laurie was dedicated to helping others before himself. Whatever organisation he was involved with, when a working bee was scheduled, he would always find time to go.

In 2010, Laurie was recognised as a life member of the Pyree Literary Institute and in 2015, a life member of the Nowra Show Society.

Laurie’s funeral was at the St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Nowra on July 13.